Why do fish turn white when they die?
Fish will turn white or pale grey due to the lack of blood flow after death. In some cases, the fish may have been dealing with a health issue due to contaminants in the water leading to a whitish complexion.
It’s essential to pay attention to your fish, if it starts losing color and/or its scales fall off.
This is a clear-cut sign something is off with the ecosystem and it’s time to make corrections. If this has happened to one fish in your tank, it’s going to happen to the others too.
The signs can include:
- Lack of Movement
- Staying to One Side of the Tank
- Refusing to Eat
These signs help indicate what’s going on in the fish tank and what type of corrections are necessary. Too many people don’t focus on their fish until it is too late.
This is when you start asking, “Why do fish turn white when they die?”
This guide is going to help answer your question “Why do fish turn white when they die?” along with shedding light on what to do to keep your fish from turning white in the first place.
Table of Contents
Best Treatment for Fish Changing Colors (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Contains one (1) API PROPER pH 7.0 Freshwater Aquarium Water pH Stabilizer 8.8-Ounce Container
- Sets and stabilizes water pH to neutral to help keep fish healthy and colorful
- Removes toxic compounds from tap water to make it safe for fish
Last update on 2023-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips on How To Help a Fish That’s Turning White
Tip #1: Stabilize the pH Level
The pH level has to be the top priority when your fish begins turning white.
It’s not a nice sight, but you will have to find the root cause as soon as you can. The best way to do this is to buy a good pH testing kit for your aquarium and keep tabs on the pH level.
This check should be done multiple times during the week to see what’s going on.
If the pH level is off, it’s time to focus on stabilizing it as soon as possible. The best way to do this is with a specialized pH treatment that is going to help control the pH level in your aquarium at all times.
The benefits include:
- Keeps the Fish Healthy
- Improves Eating Habits
- Helps Aquatic Plants Thrive
Ignoring this issue is only going to make things worse on your fish.
Not only are the fish going to turn white, but they are also going to start dying. This is one of the worst things that can happen and it is a clear-cut sign changes are needed!
Take the time to ask “Why do fish turn white when they die?” and start with a long-term solution. This is a must!
Tip #2: Change the Water Weekly
Weekly water changes are an essential requirement if your fish are turning white.
One of the main causes of a fish turning white has to do with excessive contamination in the water. As a result, if you are asking “Why do fish turn white when they die?” this means it’s time to increase the frequency of water changes in your fish tank.
This is going to help regulate the contaminants so things don’t spiral out of control.
How much should you change the water?
In general, it’s best to change 25% of the water during the process and go from there. This will be more than enough to produce good results without compromising the quality of your ecosystem.
This is essential when asking “Why do fish turn white when they die?”.
Tip #3: Check the Filter
The filter can be a troublemaker when it comes to fish turning white.
The filter may not be functioning the way it is designed to and that’s causing contaminants to spread into the tank. It’s best to check your filtration system and ensure it’s in good shape.
If not, the problem is going to get worse with time and it will impact your fish.
If you are asking “Why do fish turn white when they die?”, you will know it’s going to have to do with water quality.
This is why testing anything that’s associated with your tank’s water quality is a good starting point. This includes the filter.
Tip #4: Speak to a Vet
Have you taken the time to speak to a qualified vet?
The vet will be able to take a peek at the fish to see how it’s doing healthwise. This can be essential in determing whether or not there is an underlying health issue aside from water quality concerns.
If not, you can cross this off of your list and go from there.
Final Thoughts
“Why do fish turn white when they die?”
Fish will die for all sorts of reasons and sometimes the whitish tinge has more to do with reduced blood flow. This happens in all types of animals including fish.
However, it’s also important to pinpoint other issues that might have led to the fish dying.
Check everything and make sure your tank isn’t causing the problem. This is key to keep your fish safe over the long haul.
Here are more articles on how to protect your fish and keep the aquarium in good shape – using a bubbler in your fish tank, how to help fish with a swollen belly, how to eliminate bad bacteria in fish tank, and how to include new aquarium decorations.